Abstract
This chapter presents the structure of an index which serves as support so allowing the development team to create the specification of the context of use document for the development of Web applications, bearing in mind characteristics of usability and accessibility, each point of the index being explained in detail. A correct preparation of this document ensures the quality of the developed Web applications. The international rules and standards related to the identification of the context of use have been taken into account. Also, the functionality limitations (sensorial, physical, or cognitive) which affect access to the Web are described, as well as the technological environment used by disabled people (assistive technologies or alternative browsers) to facilitate their access to the Web content. Therefore, following the developed specification of the context of use, usable and accessible Web applications with their corresponding benefits can be created.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Context of Use: Users, tasks, equipment (hardware, software and materials), and the physical and social environments in which a product is used.
Disability: Impairment that interferes with the customary manner in which a task is performed or that requires accommodation in order to perform a task.
Assistive Technology: Hardware or software products used by disabled users to enable them to carry out tasks using the computer that they were formerly unable to accomplish, or had great difficulty accomplishing.
Usability: Extent to which a product can be used by specified users to achieve specified goals with effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction in a specified context of use.
Usability Evaluation: The process of testing whether software meets a predetermined and quantifiable level of usability.
Quality in Use: The capability of the software product to enable specified users to achieve specified goals with effectiveness, productivity, safety, and satisfaction in specified contexts of use.
Accessibility: Usability of a product, service, environment, or facility by people with the widest range of capabilities.